1955 Ford Crown Victoria - Early Iron

At 69, Erv Menebroker is retired and living in Colorado, but that doesn't mean he doesn't work. Recently he finished up a 1955 Crown Victoria for his 45-year-old son, Terry, who says he's been around street rods all his life. In 1988, the father and son met Tom McMullen (hot rodding founder of STREET RODDER) and his wife, Deanna, at a four-wheel-drive event in Colorado.

Erv had a black 1934 Ford at the time, and McMullen invited both of the Menebrokers to his house in Buena Vista, where McMullen photographed the car for a feature in the magazine (one of the very few STREET RODDER feature vehicles ever shot by McMullen), and it appeared in the June 1989 issue. Nearly nine years later, STREET RODDER Road Tour operator Jerry Dixey picked the car for a magazine award at the NSRA's Rocky Mountain Nationals in 1998.

2/9The dash from a 1960 Thunderbird was used in the Crown Vic, though now it’s home to a contemporary stereo, A/C controls, and gauge cluster.

For their latest project, Erv and Terry found the Crown Vic in August 2001 on a ranch in the mountains near Silverthorn, Colorado. A restoration had been started and, though the car didn't have much rust, there wasn't a straight panel on it. Over the next decade Erv and Terry did all the work themselves, except the upholstery.

The drivetrain consists of a 425-horse 390 Ford with ram air induction via modified fresh air ducts. The motor backs to a C6 trans, and a narrowed Ford 9-inch is located out back, with airbags on each corner. Custom bodywork is extensive: nosed and decked, the body also features a frenched antenna and taillights. The hood was louvered, too, and the grille is handbuilt using stainless steel bars, with the parking lights being made from a 1960 T-bird dash bezel. The dash from the 1960 'Bird was also used, with a floating console that runs to the back seat. Rolled and pleated bucket seats complete the interior.

Terry says he has always dreamed of owning a 1955 Crown Victoria and, thanks to the efforts and talents of his dad, he now owns his "Crown Jewel".

3/9Most of the suspension is original to the car, except for the airbags used both front and rear.